Fluoride Treatments

FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
AT SCHUMACHER & BAUER, DDS

The CDC named the fluoridation of drinking water as one of the top 10 greatest public health achievements in the 20^th century!

Who do we recommend fluoride treatments to?

We have found that kids don’t always have the capacity to take the best care of their teeth. So, we recommend that children have a fluoride treatment twice a year to help fight against tooth decay. Sometimes adults also have trouble keeping up with their oral hygiene, and when indicated we will recommend that they too have a fluoride treatment or use other fluoridated products (like prescription toothpaste). Other indicators for increased fluoride exposure would be for dry mouth and chemotherapy/radiation therapy patients.

Fluoride for prevention vs. fluoride for treatment

Not only is fluoride great at preventing tooth decay, it can also be a good tool to use against sensitivity. Using fluoride products like rinses and toothpastes daily can help with general cold sensitivity; but if you don’t want to commit to those products, having an in-office fluoride treatment will help, too.

Silver Diamine Fluoride

Silver Diamine Fluoride is a particularly effective fluoride treatment for kids whose cavities cannot otherwise be treated at one time.

Situations in which Silver Diamine Fluoride may be recommend include, but are not limited to:

• Children who may have excessive decay (severe early childhood caries)
• Young children who have difficulty cooperating for treatment
• Special needs patients
• Children with carious lesions that may not all be treated in one visit

Benefits to Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment:

• Non-invasive
• Painless
• Quick treatment time
• Effective cavity prevention
• May stop tooth decay
• Relieves tooth sensitivity

Drawbacks to this technique:

• Requires multiple visits to achieve and maintain results
• Discoloration of the affected teeth